we use an application that can be found at http://realpolitik.sourceforge.net/ for figuring out moves and such. Generally speaking, you discuss and plan out moves with the others via whatever method you want (email, HL chat, etc) and then you mail in your moves to Cauldyth - who is the game master (he's volunteered to do so again this time). He'll post the moves/saved game file whatever.

As to how you play diplomacy, there are many websites with the ins and outs of the game. It's not too hard to get up to speed on the rules, but the game is more about the interaction between players. Here is one website that discusses rules/strategies/etc http://www.diplom.org/~diparch/resources/strategy.htm

Our general game rules are ...

You cannot impersonate the game master in any way (on IM, HL, Email, whatever).You cannot make deals that span multiple games ("I'll help you win this game if you help me win the next game")You cannot attempt to listen in on people IM/HL chat (Wang could if he wanted to run a packet sniffer and log all chat on HL).

but that's about it. To win you have to convince others to help you out, which usually means creating alliances that you will most likely have to break at some point.

Wang I would never backstab you... and I just happen to have a fetching young princess in my land if your little prince (Was it a boy?) is available for a marriage of politics between our two great (as yet unnamed) nations!

which leaves room for one more, there was interest from (in order)mukowDeath's AvatarkalliGaruVragak

of which as far as I can tell, Kalli is the only one that has previously played. In the past, we've had some people team up and play together, but I've personally not done that, so I have no idea how well it worked.

How's about we just have Kalli take country seven and the new folks can pair off with someone if they'd like to learn the game. It's pretty intimidating at first, and it would be bad to have someone get creamed early. I'll be happy to take Garu under my wing, we see each other all the time via WoW, so plotting world domination will be convenient :)